Today’s freebie, The Importance of Being Earnest, was first performed in 1895. The play’s upper-class characters create fictitious personas to find ways around stringent social standards. Featuring clever dialogue, comical plot twists, and a multitude of puns, Wilde provides scintillating commentary on Victorian-era customs and manners.

This week’s $0.99 bonus book, The Picture of Dorian Gray tells the story of a handsome young man who becomes so alarmed by the transitory nature of youth that he makes a wish to stay young forever, while a picture of him ages instead. When he realizes that his dearest wish has come true, young Dorian begins a treacherous pursuit of fleeting pleasure. This classic cautionary tale explores the nature of art, beauty, and morality.

First published in 1895, The Time Machine launched both H.G. Wells’ writing career and the literary genre of science fiction. This classic novella relates an explorer’s journey 800,000 years into the future. Throughout the story, Wells explores class, human nature, and scientific innovation.

Today’s $0.99 bonus book, The Invisible Man, tells the story of a troubled scientist named Griffin and his experiments with invisibility. Through his slow descent into madness, Wells investigates the human psyche and morality, and comments on the ethical responsibilities that come with scientific experimentation.

Written by William James, the father of American psychology, The Will to Believe, and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy discusses the validity and utility of religious belief in the modern world. James’ essays elegantly explore the intersections of philosophy, theology, and science.

Today’s $0.99 bonus book, Human Immortality was first presented at Harvard’s prestigious Ingersoll Lectures. In this work, William James addresses arguments against the continuation of a person’s consciousness following his or her death. James’ thoughtful analysis clears the way for constructive discussions about belief, consciousness, and life after death.